Lawrence



(No Model.)

L. 0. BOLEN.

RATGHET BIT BRACE- No. 360,650. Patented Apr. 5, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE C. BOLEN, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR- TO LEONARDL. DAVIS, OF SAME PLACE.

RATCH ET BlT-BRACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 360,650, dated April 5,1887.

Serial No. 209,986. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LJUVRENOE O. BOLEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in RatchetBit-Braces,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in ratchet bit-braces; and theinvention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of theparts of the device, as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 aretop plan views, partly in section, of the part-s of a bit-brace atthejunction of the handle and the bit-holding stock embodying myimprovements, Fig. 1-

showing the pawls and their controlling mechanism in one position, andFig. 2 showing said parts in another position, as hereinafter fullydescribed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section.

This invention is in the nature of an improvement on the devices shownin Patent No. 342,727, dated May 25, 1886, the object being to simplifythe construction shown in said pat ent without impairing the efficiencyof the bitbrace.

In the drawings, 2 is the upper portion of the stock in which the bitissecured, thelower portion being shown broken off in the drawings. Thewithin-described invention relates, essentially, to improvements in thepawl devices which operate in conjunction with a ratchet secured to theupper end of said stock 2, said pawl devices being located in that partof the bit-brace immediately connected to the stock, and adapted to beengaged with and disengaged from said ratchet. The upper end of thestock 2 is made of suitable size to pass through a perforation madethrough the bifurcated end of the brace or handle 3, and a ratchetwheel,4., is secured on the stock bya screw or other suitable means, as shown,between the opposite parts of the bifurcated end of the brace, wherebythe latter is secured on the stock, and is capable of being rotatedthereon in the usual way. The brace3 hasa socketin its end, as indicatedin Fig. l by dotted lines, to receive the end of the usual bent portionthereof, 5.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the interior part of the brace 3, adjoining thestock 2 about on line :0 m, Fig. 3.

In the recess between the bifurcated parts of the end of the brace 3,back of the ratchet 4, are located two pawls, 6, pivoted together and tothe brace by a pin or screw, 7, and a flat spring, 8, having one endthereof secured to each of said pawls, which serves to swing the ends ofthe latter toward the ratchet 4. A pawl-actuating stud, 9, is placed inthe brace 3 between said two pawls, the lower end of its shank enteringa socket beneath the latter, as shown in Fig. 3, and said lower end ofthe stud'shank is connected with that part of the stud above the pawlsby a cam-shaped extension (in cross-section) or neck, 10, which, by thelocation of said stud, is brought immediately between the inner oppositesides of the two pawls 6. Said stud is capable ofa rotary motion bymeans of a finger-piece, 12, on its outer end, (shown partly brokenoffin Fig. 3,) wherebythc edge of said neck 10 may be swung alternatelyagainst either one of the pawls to disengage them from or to permit themto engage with the ratchet 4, as indicated in Fig. 2; or said stud maybe turned to bring its camshaped neck to the position shown in Fig. 1,whereby both pawls are permitted to swing into engagement with saidratchet. The construction of the stud 9, whereby the said camshaped neckis formed thereon, results in pro ducing a head or collar, 13, thereonat its lower end, and when the parts are in operative position the saidcollar rests in the said socket in the brace beneath the two pawls, andthe latter are held normally in such position by the pin 7 that theyswing over the sides of said head, one or both of them always beingabove the head, thereby holding the stud in the position in the bracewhich is shown in Fig. 3. When the stud is put into or taken out fromthe brace, it is necessary to remove the screw 7 and slide the pawlsrearwardly away from the ratchet, thereby disengaging them from the headon the stud. \Vhen the stud 9 is turned to the position shown in Fig. 2,thereby throwing the pawl there shown away from the ratchet, the latterand the stock 2 may be rotated by the brace in the direction indicatedby the arrow in said figure, and when the stud is turned to throw theopposite pawl away from the ratchet, letting the other pawl en- ICO gagetherewith, said stock may be rotated in the opposite direction; but whenthe stud is turned to the position shown in Fig. 1 both pawls arebrought into engagement with the ratchet, and the latter and the stockmay be rotated by the brace in either direction. Itis doubtlessunderstood that when one only of either of the pawls is in engagementwith the ratchet the latter may be rotated intermittently orcontinuously.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In combination, the stock 2, havingthe ratchet-wheel 4 secured thereon, the brace 3, rotatably attached tosaid stock, two pawls pivotally attached to said brace to one side ofsaid ratchctwheel, capable of a vibratory motion toward and from thelatter, and a rotating stud, 9, located between said pawls, having a camshaped neck for engagement therewith, whereby they are vibrated, and ahead engaging under said pawls, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, the stock 2, having the ratchetwheel 4 securedthereon, the brace 3, rotatably attached to said stock, two pawlspivotally attached to said brace to one side of said ratchet-wheel,capable of a vibratory motion toward and from the latter, united by aspring, and a rotating stud, 9, located between said pawls, having acanrshaped neck for engagement therewith, whereby they are Vibrated, anda head engaging under said pawls, substantially as set forth.

LAWRENCE o. 'BoLEN.

Vitnesses:

G. M. CHAMBERLAIN, H. A. OHAPIN.

